[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 41 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Page 2053]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on Individual Training Accounts for Federal Workers

October 14, 1999

Memorandum for the Director of the Office of Personnel Management

Subject: Individual Training Accounts for Federal Workers

    Thank you for forwarding the options and recommendations of the Task 
Force on Federal Training Technology on establishing individual training 
accounts (ITAs) for Federal employees.
    Your report provides a thoughtful and thorough review of the ways 
ITAs may be used to improve the quality of training available to Federal 
workers. The skills needed by Federal workers, the technologies 
available for training, and the institutions capable of delivering high-
quality training are all changing rapidly. Individual employees may be 
in the best position to discover opportunities in this fast changing 
market; ITAs can give them needed flexibility.
    Improving the efficiency and quality of Federal Government services 
in the years ahead will require educated workers to fill new jobs and 
allow incumbent workers to continuously upgrade their knowledge and 
skill base. We have an obligation to explore the use of new technologies 
to provide cost-effective, high-quality, and accessible training to 
ensure that we provide the kind of working environment that attracts and 
retains outstanding working men and women.
    After reviewing your report, it is clear that ITAs merit further 
exploration because of their potential for improving Federal training. 
The Task Force points out that while a number of private firms, State 
governments, and foreign governments are currently implementing ITAs, 
the programs are not fully tested. I support the Task Force 
recommendation that Federal agencies should begin a series of pilot 
projects and develop tools for evaluating their success. I therefore 
direct that OPM work with the Task Force to develop a guidance for 
agencies to use in developing and evaluating ITA pilot projects.
    I understand that the Task Force also is making steady progress in 
developing recommendations for Federal agencies to make effective use of 
technology to improve training opportunities. I look forward to 
reviewing the final Task Force report and learning more about the 
development of the demonstrations of advanced learning technologies 
being proposed by the Executive departments. Particularly valuable are 
the Task Force's recommendations regarding how agencies can use their 
combined procurement power to stimulate development of high-quality 
training technologies conforming to standards used in commercial and 
university instruction. Your work will serve not only to strengthen the 
Federal workforce and ensure that the American taxpayers receive the 
best service possible, but can also accelerate the development of 
technologies useful in schools and companies throughout the Nation.
    I appreciate your leadership, the commitment of the Task Force, and 
the dedicated service of your staff, particularly Emzell Blanton, the 
Executive Director of the Task Force, in ensuring the success of this 
important effort.
                                            William J. Clinton